According to VOX, the holidays don't align very often. The two dates randomly align because the Jewish and Gregorian calendars don't align. Since 1900, the first day of Hanukkah has fallen on Christmas only four times:

Hanukkah is beginning on the same day as Christmas for the first time since 2005. Here's why it doesn't happen often.

Jews can celebrate Hanukkah as early as November.Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. Here's what we know about Hanukkah: Christmas in Louisville,

Some years, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah occurs closer to Thanksgiving time, with the eight-day holiday taking place in November or even early December. But in 2024, the festival of lights begins a little bit later — falling right on Christmas.